Work on £18 million special school in Luton set to start in August

The timetable is restricted because Denbigh Primary School pupils are being taught in temporary classrooms at the Bishopscote Road site currently, according to a report to the borough council’s scrutiny children’s services review group.

Emergency works required to the Denbigh Road school meant finding a short-term alternative teaching location for its staff and children.

“Luton has experienced sustained growth in demand for specialist social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) provision,” said the report. “Around one in five children in Luton diagnosed with SEMH and complex needs require a specialist school.

“The town doesn’t have a SEMH special school and is reliant on securing placements at out-of-borough schools. It means 75 children with SEMH as their primary need are currently educated outside Luton, creating significant cost pressures and extended travel times for vulnerable pupils.

“Construction firm Willmott Dixon has begun detailed design activity and is working to tight timescales to finish the development next summer. A 112-place SEMH school will be built in two phases for school years five to 11.

“Phase one would open in September 2027 with a capacity for 60 pupils. A sports hall will be ready in the following month, with a final phase starting from October 2027. The school is costed around £18m plus associated fees.

“The revenue funding for the new school will be provided from the high needs block of the dedicated schools grant. There are no financial implications for the council’s general fund.”

LBC’s head of improvement Paul Joghee told the committee: “The site is occupied by Denbigh Primary School, which departs at the end of the summer term.

“SEMH is rising significantly year-on-year. We don’t have anything suitable in the town for those with the most complex needs, so they’re sent out of the borough,” he said.

“Under the national special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform plan, the aims include better inclusive practice in mainstream schools, and reducing longer distances for children to travel, with a live and learn local concept.

“This is for the most complex needs pupils. We’re not looking at this school growing and growing. We’re aiming for mainstream schools to meet those children’s needs eventually.”

LBC’s education provision and planning manager Nick Adams-Nel explained: “Since 2022, the numbers coming into the system with a primary need of SEMH have more than doubled from 21 to 100 in 2025, with 28 already for the first quarter of this year.

“There’s just a unit in a primary school currently with no provision for the older year groups, which is desperately needed for the town. Having one here cuts the cost of sending pupils further afield and reduces the travel time for the mental health needs of pupils.

“The phased opening in September 2027 will consist of two classes of eight, increasing each year until its full reaching the 112 capacity.”

Asked about traffic management, he added: “It’s designed with a turning circle and parking space for 60 vehicles.

“Minibuses and cars can turn into the school, so it won’t impact surrounding roads as with the primary school at present.”

Councillors agreed a recommendation to support the SEMH school development.